Devotion: God’s Love That I Don’t Feel
Please take the time to read 1 John 3:18-24
What is a gap? Our current sermon series is “Greater Faith, Fewer Gaps”. The dictionary defines a gap as “a difference or disparity in attitudes, perceptions, character, or development, or a lack of confidence or understanding, perceived as creating a problem”. Last Sunday’s sermon as explained by Pastor Michelle is that a gap in our faith is what we know about God and what we experience. It creates a problem.
We know that God’s love is so wide and deep. beyond our comprehension, and yet, our inner critic tells us differently when we feel stupid or inept. We do not love ourselves when we judge that we are incompetent or unworthy.
On a recent Monday hospital visit, I wasn’t paying attention and walked into the wrong room. I warmly greeted the patient and his family by introducing my self as a hospital visitor from Sheridan Lutheran. I received a cool reception and was told that they had just had a visit from their priest and they were not needing anyone else. I then realized that I had the wrong room number. I was quick to apologize and declared that I was thankful that despite our differences in denominations, we all worship the same God. They agreed and I proceeded to go two doors down where a Sheridan patient was located. My self critic scolded me for being so incompetent. “You dummy!” In that moment, there was a gap between what I know about God loving me and what I was experiencing.
I can relax in God’s love when I remember His word and that He redeems and forgives my shortcomings. As God’s children we can sing, “Jesus loves me, this I know. For the bible tells me so.” We read in I John 3:20: “For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.” God’s love shrinks the gap when it goes from our heads to our hearts. No worries. Jesus loves me!
Good and gracious God,
Thank you for always loving us when we feel unloveable. Dwell in our hearts through faith, that we may be rooted and grounded in your steadfast and enduring love for us.
Amen
Written by Janece Nelson
Janece and husband, Mike, have been members of Sheridan for more than twelve years. Janece is a retired mathematics instructor teaching at the middle school and college level. They are blessed with two children and three grandchildren.
Janece finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family and friends. Her passion is writing devotions for patients in hospitals and rehabs she sees every Monday as a Sheridan hospital visitor. As a Teammate she also mentors girls at Boys Town. Janece credits Faith Builders and Companions in Christ for her spiritual growth.